Cynical love songs that you can think of
 

I love cynical love songs or songs about having been in love that are cynical. Two that immediately spring to mind are Husker Du's 'Sorry Somehow' and Burt Bacharach's 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again', especially the version sang by Dionne Warwick. Go.

Without any irony whatsoever, I'll say: Pretty much anything by The Beautiful South.

I'm sorry for bringing their name up in a place of culture, but you did ask.

I think that Paul Heaton used to be a great pop songwriter and I am a big fan of The Housemartins, so I second the choice with no shame.

Anything by Pulp.

Nearly anything by Serge Gainsbourg.

A lot of Elvis Costello...

be specific people!

Ok, specific: One of Evis Costello's songs.

I'm thirding the Beautiful South. Their carry on up the charts is pretty essential, although I don't listen to it as much these days. They went a bit 'ha ha funny' after that (perfect 10) but they are capable of majesty.

Hank Williams - My love for you (has turned to hate)
MCR - Honey, this mirror isn't big enough for the two of us.
Lil' Jimmy O'Rourke - Halfway to a threeway.
Trad. - A Comical Genius (I have the Dubliners doing this)
Blur - Miss America (although there's a few Blur songs that fit the bill)

Hmm. I'm sure I should be able to think of more.

Jeez, I just thought of so many that I then tossed out from that wedding songs comp thread of Spectal's.

How 'bout this one...you can't get much more blunt than this:

J. Geils Band - Love Stinks

Pretty much every song by the Magnetic Fields. "I Don't Believe You" comes to mind.

you making a mix tape with a hidden message?

The One I Love, no?

That's perfect, radarmaker.

Ramones-Glad To See You Go

Mascara lyrics

i feel soon i will sink into you
what do you think cause
there's still blood in your hair
and i've got the bruise of the year
but there's something about
her long shady eyes
i'm all about her shade tonight
i hate your tattoos you have weak wrists
but i'll keep you well it's too bad you're married to me.
but theres something about her long shady eyes
im all about her shade tonight

"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell

"Run For Your Life" by The Beatles which brings back the old blues tradition:

Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or I won't know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end 'a little girl

Well you know that I'm a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can't spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the line

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end 'a little girl

Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I've said
Baby, I'm determined
And I'd rather see you dead

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end 'a little girl

I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end 'a little girl
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na

Perhaps it's more of a jealousy and revenge song than a "cynical love song." Oh well...at any rate, these are some of the most twisted lyrics in the history of rock:

Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I've said
Baby, I'm determined
And I'd rather see you dead

leanord cohen-aint no cure for love

Shellac - Prayer to God